Sox9(EGFP) Defines Biliary Epithelial Heterogeneity Downstream of Yap Activity

• Authors: Deepthi Y. Tulasi, University of North Carolina; Diego Martinez Castaneda, University of North Carolina; Kortney Wager, University of North Carolina; Connor B. Hogan, Emory University; Karel P. Alcedo, University of North Carolina; Jesse R. Raab, University of North Carolina; Adam Gracz, Emory University
• Journal Title: Cellular and molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Volume: Volume 11, Number 5
• Publisher: Elsevier Inc. | 2021-03-25, Pages 1437-1462
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.009
• Subjects: Biology, Genetics; Biology, Cell; Biology, Physiology; Health Sciences, Oncology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Biliary Epithelium; Cholangiocytes; Sox9; Yap; Long-term expansion; Liver stem-cells; Mouse liver; Functional heterogeneity; Gene expression; SOX9; Cholangiocytes; Hepatocytes; Growth; Ducts

Abstract

Background & Aims Defining the genetic heterogeneity of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (BECs) is challenging, and tools for identifying BEC subpopulations are limited. Here, we characterize the expression of a Sox9EGFP transgene in the liver and demonstrate that green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression levels are associated with distinct cell types. Methods Sox9EGFP BAC transgenic mice were assayed by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and gene expression profiling to characterize in vivo characteristics of GFP populations. Single BECs from distinct GFP populations were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and functional analysis was conducted in organoid forming assays. Intrahepatic ductal epithelium was grown as organoids and treated with a Yes-associated protein (Yap) inhibitor or bile acids to determine upstream regulation of Sox9 in BECs. Sox9EGFP mice were subjected to bile duct ligation, and GFP expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. Results BECs express low or high levels of GFP, whereas periportal hepatocytes express sublow GFP. Sox9EGFP+ BECs are differentially distributed by duct size and demonstrate distinct gene expression signatures, with enrichment of Cyr61 and Hes1 in GFPhigh BECs. Single Sox9EGFP+ cells form organoids that exhibit heterogeneous survival, growth, and HNF4A activation dependent on culture conditions, suggesting that exogenous signaling impacts BEC heterogeneity. Yap is required to maintain Sox9 expression in biliary organoids, but bile acids are insufficient to induce BEC Yap activity or Sox9 in vivo and in vitro. Sox9EGFP remains restricted to BECs and periportal hepatocytes after bile duct ligation. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that Sox9EGFP levels provide readout of Yap activity and delineate BEC heterogeneity, providing a tool for assaying subpopulation-specific cellular function in the liver.